Ring or no ring, that is the question!

[afitzhugh]

My girlfriend is very selective about jewelry, so I was thinking of just purchasing the diamond online and then taking her to a local shop to find a setting of her choice. I''ve read though that a large number of shops wont set someone elses diamond. So Im not entirely sure what I should do. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[ame]

Propose with a Ring Pop so she can be involved in th whole process.

 

[Morticia]

My guy gave me my stone (it was his grandmother''s) and told me I could pick whatever setting I want. Places will set stones other than their own. It depends on the place and the designer. I went with Ritani, who requires the stone be pre-set

, so I sent it in its mounting (it was a ring, then a necklace, going to be my e-ring). I''ve been told that some Ritani dealers will set loose stones but I''m not sure.... I know Michael B will. I''m sure plenty of others will too.

Good luck!

 

[Buena Girl]

Maybe you can find out if there are any reputable stores near you that will set a loose diamond.

Otherwise, maybe when you buy the diamond, have the vendor put it in an inexpensive setting (I think there are some for less than a hundred dollars). Find out if local stores with take a diamond out of a setting and put it into a new setting of your choice.

 

[belle]

if she is particular about jewelry, will she be particular with the stone as well?

 

[afitzhugh]

While not 100% sure, I dont believe the stone will matter as much to her as the setting. And importantly, I want to propose with at least a diamond in hand

 

[belle]

agreed. diamond in hand is good! i was just curious as to whether or not that is something she would want to be involved in. get a temp setting and let her search for "the one". best of luck to you!!!

 

[Diamondsbybree]

I think that is a good idea of proposing with just a diamond. I would prefer that I pick out my own mounting versus him choosing it for me.

 

[elepri]

I don''t think it should be a problem, most places will set a diamond bought elsewhere, except for some very high end designer brands.

 

[FireGoddess]

I concur...most places will set a diamond bought elsewhere IF you''re getting the setting from the same place you want the stone mounted. As long as you''re buying their mounting, they''ll usually put the stone in it for you. Make sure that they understand the diamond has been checked and they are liable if they happen to accidentally chip the diamond while setting it.

 

[michela002]

I love the idea of letting her choose her own setting, its great. Do you know which shape stone she wants?

If your budget will allow it, maybe you could consider getting her a very cheap temporary setting (i.e. Blue Nile, Mondera, Nice Ice etc sell v. basic 4-prong white/yellow gold settings for under $300 - NiceIce is only $215) so at least she can wear the diamond and show it off till you get her proper setting? (That might take a while and she might like to be able to wear it.) Maybe whoever you buy it from can give you a deal on a v cheap temporary setting ... I''m not a jeweller so I don''t know whether it''s an appropriate metal, but what about even just getting a dummy sterling silver setting? Just to hold the diamond so she can show it off till its properly set?

I''m sure proposing with the just the diamond will be wonderful too, but if your budget can afford a temporary setting (and the money spent on that won''t mean you have less for the diamond) it might be worth considering.

 

[afitzhugh]

Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful! For now im going to plan something using just the diamond

 

[belle]

good plan.

best of luck to you!

 

[codex57]

I dunno what your budget is, but I''d buy the cheapest setting you can get. The store I bought my stone from would gladly throw in a white gold solitaire setting for free (only costs like $30). That way, your g/f can still go through the process of you proposing with a full ring, you putting it on her hand, etc. THen, you can shop for settings together. It''s kinda like a placeholder for the stone.

 

[Kaleigh]

I''m with codex on this one, find a temporary setting so when you propose she can wear the ring and explain to her that she can pick out her own special setting. It''s a win/win situation in my book, and she will be happy to be involved in the process of finding just the right setting for her beautifull diamond. Good luck and let us know what you decide, oh and please don''t forget to post pictures of the ring once it''s finished. Good luck!!